Transportation

Egyptian boats Lachlan Maclean 6B Boats were the most important means of transport in Egypt because all the cities and towns were along the Nile. The Nile flows north but there’s always a wind blowing south. The Nile was like a highway for the Egyptians.

The papyrus boat was made out of bundles of papyrus lashed together with rope. A long pole was used to measure the depth of the river and heavy oars were used to control the boat. It was used for fishing and hunting hippos. Some wealthy people had picnics with their family on a papyrus boat.   Boats also played an important part in their religion. When a Pharaoh died they put him/her on a boat, specially made for them to cross the Nile to the burial site. They also believed that Amon-Ra (Sun-God) made a voyage from the east to the west across the sky as if he was on water. In the day he flew across the sky and in the underworld at night.  Trade and war started. Papyrus boats couldn’t carry heavy things and weren’t very strong so the Egyptians had to make wooden boats and ships. Ships form the Mediterranean started invading Egypt so the pharaoh ordered a wooden galley. By Lachlan Maclean 6B

Animal Transportation The two wheeled steered and propelled cart was run by calves. Ancient Egyptians used animal carts for transporting things from to place to place. Larger carts may be drawn by animals, such as oxen, horses, mules, etc. They have been in continuous use since the invention of the wheel. Ancient Egyptians used cows the most. Cows were very cheap so the poor people could afford it. Some traders used cows to trade too. Some people used ox carts to move to another house. Cows are very strong so they can carry heavy loads which make them very convenient for moving. Ancient Egyptians believed that balanced relationships between people and animals were essential. Ancient Egyptians like the cow most because it’s the most useful animal.

Ancient Egyptians used horses for war. They also used them for transportation but mostly for war. Horses are very fast unlike cows. But horses don’t have that much stamina and can’t carry heavy loads so they are used for war. Horses can trade with other countries though.

Animal cart are the most useful other than the boat. Ox carts could be able to be of better use if the Nile water was shallower. For Ancient Egyptians the animal cart was a very important transportation. //**Written by Yuki Lester Yamamoto**// 

Camels were mainly used by the Egyptians to cross the desert. They could carry 900 pounds but they only carried 300 pounds. The camel’s hump or humps stored fat so that it could go on for a few days without food. The camel can drink about 21 gallons in 10 minutes. The Egyptians could use its dung without drying it to make a fire. Its hide could be used to make a tent. Its milk is more nutritious than a cow’s. By Lachlan Maclean 6B